Wrestling: Flathead sweeps Western AA titles
HELENA — The Flathead Brave Brawlers and Bravettes swept the Western AA Divisional wrestling titles Saturday, with the boys pushing 22 wrestlers through to this weekend’s state championships.
The Bravettes scored 297 points to 223 for Butte and 129 for Helena Capital. Glacier was fifth at 112.5.
The Brawlers piled up 304.5 points topping Butte (265) for the boys crown; Missoula Sentinel was next at 189.5 points, not far ahead of Glacier’s 182.5.
“We had a good weekend of wrestling,” Flathead coach Jeff Thompson said. “There are always a few losses that sting, but that’s wrestling. We are competitive and want to win every match. It’s just the way we are wired.”
Kellen Downing (103), Hunter Arriaga (120), Diesel Thompson (126), Daniel Evert (138), Anders Thompson (205) and Sawyer Troupe (285) were individual champions.
Diesel Thompson knocked off Helena Capital’s Cashton Spolar, a finalist last year, in the 126 semifinals 12-10, then won a 3-2 decision from Kade Wallace of Missoula Big Sky.
“Kellen Downing was a beast at 103,” Jeff Thompson said. “Diesel Thompson and Will Barnes both had great tournaments at 126. Daniel Evert looks better every week winning the 138-pound bracket.
“Gunnar Thompson lost a hard fought 4-3 match (to Capital’s Cole Graham) in the finals at 182. Anders and Sawyer just keep adding to their pin total for the year.”
Sixteen of the Brawlers had top-four finishes: Clifford Nance and Logan Stansberry finished third-fourth at 170; three Flathead wrestlers took third.
The Wolfpack put 11 boys through to state, with three of them winning divisional titles: Kaleb Shine at 145, Nicola Coles at 152 and Mark Ahner at 170.
Shine scored a late pin over Flathead’s Dane Lake in the title match; Ahner pinned his Butte opponent in 1:04 and Coles won a 10-4 decision.
“So proud of Mark Ahner, he’s just a great program kid, he has stuck to the plan, does what we asked him, and is such a great example in our program and our school,” Glacier coach Ross Dankers said. “Shine just was dominant on top and on the feet, controlling each match handily. His mindset and mentality are amazing.
“Nico causes a lot of problems for his opponents, completely dominant on the feet and so dynamic. Team wise, I feel like we definitely wrestled at or beyond our seeds and have a lot of good momentum going into state.”
Flathead was able to qualify 16 of 19 Bravettes for State, led by Lucille Libby’s divisional title at 235. Seven Bravettes made the finals.
“We had an absolutely amazing first day, setting us up well going into the semis Saturday morning,” coach Amber Downing said. “Libby, a senior, has made big strides this season in her approach in the practice room and competition. She's the calm, collected leader, and one I can always count on to be where we need her.”
Downing noted that Flathead advanced two girls in four different weight classes, and has coverage at 11 of 12 weights.
“This is huge for our young team, with several girls finding their groove this weekend winning those crucial matches,” Downing said. “I am incredibly proud of these girls and how they are consistently improving.”
Dankers was happy with his Wolfpack girls, including a couple that had tough draws on Friday.
“Kylie Shine and Abbie McClatchey both battled back to earn a chance at the state tournament,” he said. “Our low weights — Katelyn Sphuler (100), Brooke Yeadon (107) and Kaura Coles (114) — all punching their ticket with a first-place finish was excellent to see. Girls are stoked to head to the Metra and strut their stuff.”
All four teams will be in Billings this week, to wrestle at First Interstate Arena. Billings West (267), Great Falls (248.5) and defending state champion Billings Senior (222.5) all scored big at the boys Eastern AA Divisional.
“Billings West had a good run in the Eastern Divisional but don’t count out the Braves just yet,” Thompson said. “We are going to get after it and put in a good fight.”
Kalispell wrestlers who competed in placing matches are below. Full results can be found at trackwrestling.com.
Western AA Divisional
Feb. 2-3 at Helena Capital
BOYS
Team scores — 1, Flathead 304.5; 2, Butte 265; 3, Missoula Sentinel 189.5; 4, Glacier 182.5; 5, Helena Capital 168.5; 6, Helena 137.5; 7, Missoula Big Sky 110; 8, Missoula Hellgate 66.
103
Kellan Downing, Fla, p. Kagan Hunt, Butte, 3:45, first
Aiden Sweat, Gla, dec. Bray Gehring, Hel, 9-6, third
113
Dayton Naldrett, Fla, dec. Oliver Caton, Hgt, 4-2, fifth
Dawson Hamland, Fla, dec. Max Martin, Hgt, 6-3, seventh
120
Hunter Arriaga, Fla, p. Garrett Bosch, Gla, :.34, first
Colter Espelin, Butte, dec. Davin Naldrett, Fla, 15-8, third
126
Diesel Thompson, dec. Kade Wallace, Snt, 3-2, first
Cashton Spolar, Cap, p. William Barnes, Fla, :42, third
132
Ryder McEwen, Butte, p. Aiden Downing, Fla, 3:41, first
Simon Hensley, Hel, p. Emery Bergstedt, Gla, 2:39, seventh.
138
Daniel Evert, Fla, dec. Bode Hazlett, Butte, 10-3, first.
145
Kaleb Shine, Gla, p. Dane Lake, Fla, 5:38, first.
Brett Chivers, Fla, p. Boston Lay, Cap, 1:31, fifth.
Riley Sinclair, Gla, dec. Will Collins, Hel, 9-3, seventh.
152
Nikola Coles, Gla, dec. Will Stepan, Butte, 10-4, first.
Lane Chivers, Fla, p. Luke Widman, Snt, 4:56, third.
Korbin Baldwin, Fla, p. Dawson Petersen, Cap, 3:53, fifth
Landon Bryon, MBS, p. McKayde Clevenger, Gla, 2:33., seventh.
160
Tanner Davis, MBS, p. Colton Kuka, Fla, 3:30, third
Dane Butler, Cap, dec. Matthew Ahner, Gla, 4-0, fifth
170
Mark Ahner, Gla, p. Adien Chuchine, Butte, 1:04, first
Clifford Nance, Fla, p. Logan Stansberry, Fla, 2:02, third
182
Cole Graham, Cap, dec. Gunnar Thompson, Fla, 4-3, first.
Kohen Riley, Fla, p. Quincy King, MBS, 2:45, third.
Tristan Hall, Gla, p. Sam Schiltz, Hel, 1:56, seventh.
205
Anders Thompson, Fla, inj.default over Sean Polk, Snt, :20, first
Conor Leduc, Fla, dec. Noah Horn, Gla, 3-2, third.
285
Sawyer Troupe, Fla, p. Kade Schleeman, Butte, 3:39.
Brayden Wallace, Snt, dec. Xander Winter, Fla, 2-0.
GIRLS
Team scores — 1, Flathead 297; 2, Bute 223; 3, Helena Capital 129; 3, Missoula Big Sky 123; 5, Glacier 112.5; 6, Helena 54; 7, Hellgate 40; 8, Sentinel 18.
100
Katelyn Sphuler, Gla, p. Mykel Lee, Fla, 3:50, first
Abbie McClatchey, Gla, dec. Avery Corbin, Snt, 7-6, fifth.
107
Brooke Yeadon, Gla, p. Shaelynn Sinerius, 1:21, first.
Jessie LaPier, Bute, dec. Danica Hennell, Fla, 5-4, third.
Harloe Reyes, Fla, bye, seventh.
114
Kaura Coles, Gla, p. Adi Siegel, Fla, 2:58, first.
Kaiya Nelson, Fla, p. Brooke Jamison, MBS, 2:11, fifth
120
Taylor Lay, Cap, sudden victory over Bella Downing, Fla, first
Jessa Morris, Fla, dec. Temree Payne-Taylor, Gla, 7-6, third.
Keeleigh Doherty, Butte, p. Ella Labrum, Gla, 2:09, seventh.
126
Mariska Harris, Cap, p. Brady Boll, Fla, 5:00, third.
Brynn Mailman, Fla, p. Kirilynn Johnson, Gla, :52, seventh.
132
Nevaeh Grunhuvd, Butte, p. Kiera Lackey, Fla, 1:45, first.
Kylie Shine, Gla, p. Addison Clixby, MBS, 1:46, third.
Autumn Thompson, Fla, p. Emma Trader, MBS, 1:47, fifth.
138
Clara Schulele, Hel, p. Haley wilson, Fla, 1:49, first.
Kylie Amundson, Fla, p. Kerra Case, Butte, 3:36, third.
152
Kaydence Edwards, Fla, p. Aspen Smart, Fla, 2:55, third.
165
Ashton Dziekonski, Cap, p. Bridget Smith, Fla, 1:24, first.
Rylee Murgel, Hel, p. Reese Conley, Fla, :08,m third.
185
Josie Olszewski, Fla, bye, third.
235
Lucille Libby, Fla, p. Kenna Schmaus, Hgt, 3:45, first.